outfits worn while summer slowly arrived
transitional dressing for a transitional nervous system
This week felt super booked and busy, which you’ll definitely see reflected in the outfits below. But despite the calendar, I’m finally starting to feel like summer is actually around the corner. I think even my nervous system can feel it.
My students are basically done, my own kids’ graduations are behind us (which, for the record, turned out to be a complete tearjerker after I spent the entire year insisting an elementary school graduation was NBD), the sunlight feels endless, and even our dinners are starting to look more like summer—cue a good watermelon and feta salad!
The record player has been spinning songs that scream summer (ahem, Creedence Clearwater Revival), and I’m writing this from my favorite spot with my now double-shot of espresso. Yes, if you’ve been here long enough, you know that coffee order doesn’t sound right. My gastroenterologist convinced me to cut back from three shots to two. Tragic. Don’t get me started.
Even my outfits start to shift this time of year. They become a little more relaxed and comfortable.
There’s something magical about that first moment when the summer feeling finally arrives.
For me, the perfect summer is a slow one. Camp drop-off and pickup. A few quiet hours to work on things I’m passionate about. Time to sit in complete silence and drink my coffee while it’s still hot.
I’m not a booked-and-busy summer person. I don’t want something on my calendar every day or plans made weeks in advance. When people (very kindly) start trying to schedule things with me, I almost shiver. The rest of my year is packed with commitments, appointments, deadlines, and obligations.
Summer, for me, is meant to feel spontaneous. Slow. Free. A little wild. The kind of season where there’s room to change your mind and let the days unfold instead of constantly trying to manage them.
Now for my favorite part of the week recap: the outfits!
Affiliate links included below.
LOOK 1 - DAYTIME
Can a basketball team be your entire personality? IDK, but watch me try. Broke out the OG Allan Houston jersey and, naturally, had to make it fashion.
🏅Unsung Hero: THE BEST Full Shabang Self-Tanner EVER
I swear by this self-tanner. I've probably talked about it here before, but I genuinely haven't found another one that comes close. And trust me—always use a mitt and this cute little brush for your hands and feet.
LOOK 1 - NIGHTTIME
A little outfit change! Alexa: play “Graduation (Friends Forever)” by Vitamin C. Elementary school graduation ceremonies are so special.
LOOK 2
I’ve been waiting an unreasonable amount of time to wear this beauty of a dress. Sizing didn’t cooperate, so I sized up and outsourced it to a tailor. Snaps for Traci for not giving up.
LOOK 3
The wrinkles are your proof that these shorts actually survived a workday. If HR has questions re: shorts to work, I’ll be citing my Substack readers as expert witnesses.
🏅Unsung Hero: Face Self Tanner & Brush
Trying a new self-tanner from a brand I’ve never used before is low-key terrifying. But this one was gifted to me, and I got good vibes, so I decided to go for it. It gave me the perfect subtle glow, and I was obsessed with the application brush.
LOOK 4
This is going to sound wild, BUT I have been influenced by not an influencer. I’ve been watching Austin style this striped shirt with so much color and creativity that I had to try my own slightly less ambitious version. Please default to her for expertise.
Last Week on Rambling In Style
And that’s the week—outfits solid, schedule a little too busy for my liking, but optimism is quickly rising. If you work all summer and are reading this, I respect (& love) you, and also… I will not be adjusting my enthusiasm.
Love ya, mean it!
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Look at her, so fancy, she has a discount code for her followers (traci15), she's an influencer, people! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Well, welcome to my world, I hate scheduling anything, I always call people the day of to make plans. I hate making plans in advance, yes big word (re: hate), but that's the Latina in me. That dress looks sooooo good on you! Guapaaa 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽
I wanna copy and paste all of these outfits into my closet!!! (I wonder if my mom still has my old Sprewell jersey, that's an easy swap from your Houston jersey😉)